Rios had been to similar fights, and never backed down. His last two fights against Mike Alvarado were two great fights, and it’s a rivalry that’s bound to continue.

The 27-year-old Rios, a former world champion in the lightweight division, knocked out Alvarado in the sixth round in October 2012 but was outpointed in their rematch last March.

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But even before he can think of facing Alvarado once more, he’s in for the fight of his life, the biggest and richest fight of his career, against Pacquiao on Nov. 24 at The Venetian in Macau.

Neither fighter has ever fought in Macau.

The odds are already out, and Pacquiao, despite two straight defeats to Tim Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez last year, remains the favorite.

But Rios is not taking any chances, and told www.doghouse.com he’s already been in and out of gym with five months before the Pacquiao fight.

He said he’s been sparring with Marcos Maidana lately just to make sure he doesn’t start from scratch when official training for the Pacquiao fight begins.

“That’s why I’m in the gym Monday’s and Friday’s you know. I’m in the gym now sparring with Maidana, just to help him out. Just to keep my momentum, my movement,” he said.

Maidana was in his own war yesterday, knocking out Josesito Lopez in the sixth round of their welterweight contest in Carson, California.

“I don’t want that to die out completely and not train this whole time so when I go back into my camp and be rested you know. So I’m ready when I go to camp my body’s rested you know when I get put in camp I’ll be ready to go and I’ll be ready.”

Pacquiao, on the other hand, is fresh from his re-election as congressman in his province of Sarangani, and is just slowly putting his mind back into boxing.

Pacquiao, who hasn’t fought since he got whacked by Juan Manuel Marquez last December, has been keeping himself fit by playing basketball.

A couple of days ago, Pacquiao’s adviser, Mike Koncz, talked about the possibility of reviving talks with Floyd Mayweather Jr. for a 2014 fight.

But Rios is here standing in front of Pacquiao, promising a “bloody war” at 147 pounds.